Painting exhaust systems

This is the way I usually do it. I use Testor's Metalizer Stainless steel buffed to a good shine or some other bright silver. I then air brush a light almost transparent coat of Testor's Jet Exhaust(a beautiful and correct for burnt metal bronze shade of color,also note that Alclad does make a similar color),thin enough to still let the bright silver shine through. I then airbrush clear yellow and blue tints. I try not to over do the tinting. I then use a black wash in cracks and crevices between and around headers and pipes. Here are a few examples.
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http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/247760Dcp_1107.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/360637Dcp_1479.jpg

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http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/144707Dcp_2191.jpg

This is a much better how-to than the Tamiya page. Great work!:cool:

Cool! Never knew what Testors stainless steel looked like until now. I'll have to pick a bottle up.

Originally posted by daggerlee
Cool! Never knew what Testors stainless steel looked like until now. I'll have to pick a bottle up.

Testors Metalizers are probably their best product line. They are very good. Though Gunze makes Metalizers that are incredible...if you can find them.

wow...i didn't even know people would put so much time to make the exhaust look soo real!! its perfect!!!

Originally posted by Integra14
wow...i didn't even know people would put so much time to make the exhaust look soo real!! its perfect!!!

You'd be surprised that the amount of time it takes to paint that is really miniscule. The Metalizers spray very quickly and easily, they cover immediately. They are simple compared to spraying gloss paints on a body or acrylics on an interior.

The real work, I suspect, was in the parts preparation-removing the mold lines and polishing the plastic parts to the right shape and finish underneath the paint to make the pipes look realistic. The paint was likely the easy part.:)

Holy poo. Thats so real lookin'.

WOW, Looks great.

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5


You'd be surprised that the amount of time it takes to paint that is really miniscule. The Metalizers spray very quickly and easily, they cover immediately. They are simple compared to spraying gloss paints on a body or acrylics on an interior.

The real work, I suspect, was in the parts preparation-removing the mold lines and polishing the plastic parts to the right shape and finish underneath the paint to make the pipes look realistic. The paint was likely the easy part.:)
You are right the prep work takes some time. Sometimes the pipes are molded together and have to be cut apart and excess plastic removed, it can be a very tedious carving task(using an exacto knife)but the end result is worth it I think.

Got a question about the "buffing" metalizer paint.

After I lay a coat on and wait for it to dry, then do I rub it with cloth to buff it? :confused:

Originally posted by hiver77
Got a question about the "buffing" metalizer paint.

After I lay a coat on and wait for it to dry, then do I rub it with cloth to buff it? :confused:

Wait about 10 minutes then buff gently with a soft cloth.